Things
I’ve Said but Probably Shouldn’t Have by Bruce Dern, with Christopher Fryer
and Robert Crane(Wiley, ISBN
#0470106379, 304 pages, hardcover; $29.95)

Bruce Dern provides a breezy, entertaining journey through
his decades as star of stage, screen and TV. The actor’s reflections are often
brutally candid, especially when dealing with his fractured home life. (He came
from a privileged family from which he became estranged.) The book’s fast pace
skips through the decades at an often dizzying pace like Rod Taylor in The Time Machine and the tendency to not
follow a linear narrative might be off-putting for those expecting a
traditional tome. However, Dern’s anecdotes are as priceless as they are
fascinating. It’s mind-boggling how many legends the man has worked with, from
Kazan and Strasberg to Nicholson, Wayne, Hitchcock and Frankenheimer. Dern is
also completely honest about the rivalry between actors who are friends: you
wish your pal success, as long as it doesn’t exceed your own. This is
particularly illustrated in a section in which Nicholson asks Dern to evaluate
his performance opposite Brando in The
Missouri Breaks. After Dern’s scathing analysis, one is surprised the two
men are still on speaking terms. It brings to mind Gore Vidal’s statement that
“Every time a friend succeeds, I die a little bit.” Dern bemoans missed
opportunities (he turned down roles in The
Godfather and Ghandi among others),
and admits frustration that after more than 40 years in the film industry he is
not considered a “star”. However, he continues to be in demand and has worked
steadily for 50 years, continuing to hone his craft and improve his talents.
Not bad for a guy who failed in his dreams to become a sportswriter because “I
couldn’t write worth a shit.” Consider this a “must” for your bookshelves.